This blog has been set up so local people can find out what is going on in the world of Moths, Butterflys and dragonflies in Calderdale.If you have any ID problems put up your photo's and someone will try and help you to id it.

Friday, 31 July 2015

Yesterday afternoon I took a walk up Ringby Lane from the top of Ploughcroft. This small area on the left of the track was alive with butterflies. 20+ Ringlets, 20+ Meadow Browns, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Large Skipper, 2 Small Skippers. I think they were not only attracted by the warm sunshine and Willow Herb, Brambles etc as well as very weedy area just behind but also by the large Privet bushes in flower. Privet does attract insects if it's allowed to flower !

Ringby Lane

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Also with the butterflies was this moth 'trying hard to get' though I eventually tracked it down to a stone wall though it stayed only briefly before I could get it in good focus. I think it's a Yellow Shell Moth.

Thursday, 30 July 2015

Purple Hairstreak are now on the wing with 2 on the 29th at Only House Wood Northowram. Any area with Oak is worth looking at. Look at the tops of oaks in bright sunshine . Plenty of Gatekeepers and Ringlets about as well..The invasion of Painted \Ladys is still to happen..??

Thursday, 16 July 2015

A good time of year for a critical look at these small day fliers given the abundance of tall grasses , unfortunately there is never eniough hours in the day to devote to these moths which look substantially bigger in flight than when resting on blades of grass their principle habitat and food plant. I'll add Records to this thread as found and are open to correction . All VC 63 records except where indicated .